British troops in Iraq might be withdrawn as early as next year, PM Gordon Brown has indicated, while hailing the improved security situation in the war-torn country.

British troops in Iraq might be withdrawn as early as next year, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has indicated, while hailing the improved security situation in the war-torn country. Brown who was on a day's visit to Iraq on Saturday said Iraqi forces would soon take over the Basra airport, the main British military headquarters. He outlined a road map for training Iraqi security forces that might ultimately aid withdrawal of UK troops before the scheduled general election in 2010.